Casio’s EXILIM EX-F1 promises features no digital camera on the market has offered before, and it delivers – with some reservations. The camera’s strongest suit is the option to shoot up to 60 full-res 6-megapixel images in a second. Combined with a sophisticated prerecord capability that continually captures images to a buffer when you half-press the shutter and saves the most recent ones to memory when push the shutter all the way, the tools you need to never miss another great shot are at hand. Image quality wasn’t great, but it’s perfectly acceptable for on-screen viewing or consumer-size prints.

The Casio EX-F1 is getting a firmware update that allows photographers to prerecord movies. We’ve all missed a few seconds of that perfect moment, but with this update, the EX-F1 will start capturing video five seconds before you fully press down the movie button. If you get your finger in the general area, you’ll still be able to catch those great videos.

Firmware Version 1.10 for the EX-F1 will be available as a download on Casio’s website. It will be free. This firmware update is a follow up to April’s Firmware Version 1.02, speeding up start-ups and enabling high speed zooming when fecording video.

It has several unique abilities which some users will find extremely useful, however it also has some problems. Its still image quality, while good, is no match for the best of the current high spec super-zooms, and its alarmingly high price will also discourage potential buyers.

My recommendation therefore is that if you’re a photographic experimenter and have $1000 to burn, the Casio EX-F1 will be a very appealing toy for a few weeks or months. But for the rest of us, in the end it will be found to be neither fish nor fowl. But it’s a fascinating harbinger of what is to come.

The Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 has the world’s fastest burst shooting performance and incorporates a high speed CMOS sensor and a high speed LSI processor. With this model, Casio has achieved an ultra-high speed 60 frames per second (fps) burst rate for still images, together with 1,200 fps high speed movie recording that captures movement faster than the eye can see for ultra-slow motion replay. Moreover, the new model can record movies at full High-Definition.

The EXILIM Pro EX-F1 incorporates a new high speed CMOS sensor and high speed LSI processor. After building in 6.0 million effective pixels and a 12X optical zoom, the developers focused on achieving a burst shooting speed capability that was hitherto unheard of. Using the camera’s ultra-high speed burst shooting for still images or its high speed movie recording mode, users can capture a split second’s movement with greater detail than before, allowing them to catch each decisive moment, and even motion that the human eye cannot ordinarily perceive.

Casio EX-F1 Reviews

Casio’s Exilim EX-F1 is – no doubt – a very innovative camera that offers a true feat of engineering: Capturing up to 60 fullsize frames in the blink of an eye can deliver stunning pictures that would otherwise be impossible to take.

My recommendation therefore is that if you’re a photographic experimenter and have $1000 to burn, the Casio EX-F1 will be a very appealing toy for a few weeks or months. But for the rest of us, in the end it will be found to be neither fish nor fowl. But it’s a fascinating harbinger of what is to come.

It has several unique abilities which some users will find extremely useful, however it also has some problems. Its still image quality, while good, is no match for the best of the current high spec super-zooms, and its alarmingly high price will also discourage potential buyers.

The Casio EX-F1 is the hottest digital camera at CES. The 60 fps Burst mode is enough to make any photographer lust after this camera. And many consumers search for the perfect camera to carry in place of hauling around a digital camera and camcorder. The EX-F1 just might be that camera.

Casio EX-F1 Features

Full resolution photography using 60 fps ultra-high speed burst mode captures the crucial moment
Using the still image burst mode, users can shoot at an ultra fast 60 frames per second. In burst mode, the frame rate can also be varied from between 1 and 60 frames per second while shooting. Up to 60 shots can be taken at once, so 60 shots per second for one second, or 5 shots per second for 12 seconds, are possible.

Don’t miss that crucial moment, Prerecord Still Images, using ultra-high speed burst function
Users can record images not just at the instant they press the shutter button, but before! Continuously recording at up to 60 images per second, a maximum of 60 images can be saved in the camera’s own buffer memory even before the shutter button is depressed. Even if users press the shutter a little late, they will still be able to catch that vital moment.

Slow Motion View function lets users view and capture that critical moment in slow motion during still photography
Users can take photographs while, in the monitor, the momentary action that is before their eyes is displayed in slow motion. It is just as if they have slowed down the passing of time. Users can unhurriedly observe the motion of the subject as they press the shutter, ensuring that they never miss that crucial moment.

Rapid Flash function allows continuous shooting even in low light
It is possible while using flash to take up to 20 continuous shots at a speed of up to 7 frames per second, so even in low light, no more missed shots. Also, the internal LED light allows high speed burst shooting at between 10 and 60 frames per second.

High speed movie recording at up to 1,200 fps
The EXILIM Pro EX-F1 can record high speed movie footage of motion too fast for the human eye, for ultra slow motion playback. Users can select a recording speed of 300 fps, 600 fps or 1,200 fps. There is also a Movie Button that lets users quickly start movie recording without first switching from still image mode.

Full High-Definition movies
The camera features Full High-Definition movie recording capability. Users can record beautiful movies at a screen size of 1920 x 1080 pixels, at a rate of 60 fields per second. The camera can be connected to an HD compatible television with a separately available HDMI cable to enjoy viewing movies.